Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with President Emomali Rakhmonov of the Republic of Tajikistan at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The two leaders exchanged views on strengthening the bilateral relationship. After their meeting, they issued a joint statement on friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Republic of Tajikistan that touched on (1) aspiration of the efforts by Tajikistan's leaders and guaranty states of General Peace Agreement to complete the peace process, (2) Japan's assistance for efforts toward the stability and reconstruction of Tajikistan, (3) cooperation for the steady implementation of economic reforms aimed at Tajikistan's transfer to a market economy, and (4) the development of friendly relations between the two countries.